Providing training and guidance for incarcerated men
We are a Christ-centered ministry that exists to house, educate, and disciple young men coming out of incarceration. We believe there is very little help for young men coming out of incarceration and we feel the burden from God to help. Our goal is to provide training and modified behavior guidance for recruited residents in the following five key areas:
Prospective residents are identified through an existing network of contacts based on their need, willingness to commit to our program, probability of success, house space availability, and other factors. Prospective residents must complete an application which describes the program in detail including our obligation to them and their obligations to the program.
Ways to get involved
Inside Prison
Outside Prison
In Prison Bible Studies
Youth group in Illinois Youth Centers. Teaching social skills and sportsmanship through group sports followed by interactive Bible study. Planting Bible Studies in Cook County Jail. Systematically studying the Bible in group settings.
Outside Prison Bible studies
Individual and Group Bible studies tailored to group maturity level and interest.
Correspondence Bible Study
Using Emmaus Worldwide correspondence courses and partnering with Set Free Ministries we send self guided courses to people who are incarcerated.
Discipleship
Individual discipleship and mentoring one on one and in small groups
Spiritual
We believe that the Bible is God’s Word and instructions to mankind to inform us of our sin and disconnect from God. In those instructions we learn about God Who Redeems mankind through faith/belief in His only Son Jesus. Our Bible based program will instruct/teach our residents about this loving, redeeming God. Our hope is that through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and the recognition of mankind’s sinful heart, that every resident will see the need for placing their faith in Jesus and living a Godly life.
Personal
Knowing how to understand, communicate with and live among people in society is important to re-acclimation. One of our objectives is to help our residents understand and learn different cultures, their norms and how to live amongst them. Helping them understand/learn etiquette, developing social skills, proper hygiene and goal setting we hope to develop well rounded individuals.
Financial
We plan on instructing our residents in basic personal finances, banking, investing, saving and financial planning so that they will understand finances and the impact on their future. We will utilize materials from financial organizations and Biblical programs to teach the various topics.
Educational
Most of our residents will have never completed High School so we want to help them get their GED. PH will help each resident achieve a GED and develop an educational career path suitable for them toward University or Vocational School. Through grants and donations PH will support residents’ education. We believe education is pivotal to helping to impact recidivism.
Occupational
For our residents we believe that a hard thing to do is getting a job and keeping a job. Job preparedness is essential to everything when it comes to working. Our objective is to equip each resident with the necessary tools to get a job and keep the job. Our focus will be creating the mindset of having a career versus just having a job. A job helps to make ends meet but a career is life sustaining for them.
Board of Directors
President
David S. Berry BS Engineering MBA Member of the Orchard Evangelical Free Church (since 1992 Short term missionary (10 plus years) Various not for profit board positions. Self Employed Executive Commercial Consultant Executive level coaching and staff training in business strategy, marketing, sales toward revenue generation. Employed in the medical device industry and last position held as VP of Business Develop & Strategy
Vice President
Vacant
Treasurer
Dawn Irwin BS in Accounting earned her CPA designation shortly thereafter. Dawn has worked for Allstate Insurance Company for over 25 years. As a long-time member of Willow Creek Community Church, she has been blessed with the opportunity to use her gifts of administration and mercy to serve those in need. Volunteer at the Illinois Youth Centers since 2000.
Administrative Director Board Secretary
Julie Dooley always had a passion for helping others but it was in 2003 when she met Louis that she turned her focus to prison ministry. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2009. Together with Louis, she has a vision of helping people get a second chance during incarceration and once they are out.
Executive Director
Louis Dooley is a former prisoner with 2 Life sentences + 100 years. Now a free man through the grace of God and giving hope to other inmates. He strives to plant Bible studies in Cook County Jail helping detainees learn how to study God’s Word. He also goes into the youth detention centers in Warrenville and St. Charles where he works to establish a relationship with the young men and women there and introduce and further their knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Board Member
John Saf has over 25 years experience managing investment portfolios. He graduated from Drake University with BSBA in Actuarial Science / Accounting in 1986. He volunteers for United in Stride as a sighted running guide for sight-impaired runners for training and race events. He also volunteers as a student mentor through Literacy Volunteers of Illinois at the youth detention center in Warrenville, Illinois and with Kids Hope USA at a local elementary school
Board Member
Orences Christian grew up in Chicago. Attends The Orchard Barrington.
Board Member
Chris Masek brings his skillset of decades in wealth management, venture capital, not for profit focus and being a strategic connector to the board of Philemon House. His background includes serving in Chicagoland prison ministry to collaborating with businesses, schools, orphanages and baseball ministries in the Dominican Republic.